DIDIMI MAGHLAKELIDZE, KRAKHUNA, 6 Bottle Case 75cl

Ramaz Nikoladze is one of the cornerstones of Georgia’s burgeoning natural wine scene. Co-founder of Tbilisi’s first natural wine bar ‘Ghvino Underground’ and Georgia’s ‘The Natural Wine Association’, he is also the president of the Georgian chapter of ‘Slow Food’. He can without doubt lay claim to being an icon of Georgia’s recent wine renaissance. His wines are the real deal – good, honest organic winemaking via Qvevri. And, there is perhaps no better example of this than his exceptional 2019 Krakhuna, which he produced with his elderly father-in-law, Didimi Maghlakelidze (as pictured on the wine label).

Krakhuna – a grape variety local to the winemaking region of Imereti – translates to “crisp”. It can be a challenge to grow, as it is susceptible to rot and mildew due to its thin skin and Western Georgia’s humidity/ subtropical climate. Consequently, it produces moderate yields. The grapes that go into making this Krakhuna are harvested and pressed by hand. Prior to pressing, all stems are also removed manually. Matured for 6 months in Qvevri without filtration/ fining/ sulphites. Total Naturally Occurring Sulphites: 38 mg/ L

The 2019 vintage is a deep amber, with an elegant mineral-driven nose, and soft yet fruit-forward flavours of apricot and pear. Much like a fine dry Riesling – with its considerable flavour profile and broad structure – this Krakhuna has the potential to develop in the bottle. Simply delicious!

Suitable for vegans.

“I can without any doubt say that what first brought this wine to my attention was the label. It is a line pencil drawing of an older bespectacled man in a sort of soft cap with big 1970’s style, functional glasses on his jovial face. This black and white drawing is above stark lettering on a white label and that’s it. The lettering says, I am Didimi from Dimi and this is my Krakhuna. It speaks from the heart in a way that always melts my reserve at agricultural shows – ok I say, I will try one more brownie from yet another home kitchen. The wine here is a white wine from the ancient Krahuna grape by a star of the Georgian wine movement. A rather brilliant and unique wine, it has a Riesling-like quality on the palate initially, though with more exotic flickers of spice and fruit. It feels new and ancient, as it should”

Tomas Clancy, February 2017
Journalist, Broadcaster, and Law Lecturer